Amphibious footwear

ABSTRACT

An article of footwear for providing traction on a wet surface having a water-durable upper made from an elastic flexible material and configured to conform to a foot, a slip-resistant sole, a lacing system, and a heel support. The footwear has a stretchable foot entry opening which encircles and substantially conforms to an ankle of a wearer, keeping out water. The upper is made from an elastic flexible composite which is constructed from a neoprene foam, and fabric laminated to the foam. The foam may have perforations which may not extend through the fabric, allowing liquids and vapor to escape the footwear. The fabric may be coated or treated to provide functions, such as hydrophobicity or oleophobicity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of, under Title 35, UnitedStates Code, Section 119(e), U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/523,004, filed Aug. 12, 2011, which is incorporated herein in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to footwear, and more specifically to anarticle of footwear configured for use in marine environments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Articles of footwear for water sports have been previously proposed.Moore (U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,592) teaches a performance water boot. TheMoore design includes a water boot having an adjustable strap thatcrosses an upper between the instep region and the collar region of theboot. Moore teaches a heel cup that is designed to cooperate with theadjustable strap in order to seal off the heel and ankle regions of theupper. Moore teaches this arrangement to prevent water from entering theinstep region and causing the foot to move within the boot.

Collins (U.S. patent number 2006/0143944) teaches an article of footweardesigned for surfing. The Collins design includes a thin rubber outsolethat wraps underneath the forefoot. Collins further teaches a treaddisposed on the bottom of the outsole. However, the Collins design doesnot include a heel portion, but instead the heel and rear of the articleof footwear is left open to expose the rear and heel of a foot. TheCollins design lacks support for the rear of the foot and the heel.Additionally, while Collins teaches a strap for fastening the article offootwear, it is a single strap wrapping around the ankle and inparticular no straps are provided for fastening the forefoot.

Hergenroeder (U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,071) teaches a surfing sandal. Thesandal includes an instep strap configured to extend across the instepat the top of the foot. According to Hergenroeder, the instep strap mayfunction as an instep pad. Hergenroeder further teaches a tractionsurface with traction pads adapted to extend across the bottom of thefoot between the heel and the ball of the foot. Hergenroeder teachesmaterials for the sandal including neoprene and materials for thetraction pads including rubber. However, Hergenroeder does not teach alacing system or a neoprene-fabric composite.

Conolly (WO patent number 2006/050565) teaches a water sport hikingsystem. The Conolly design includes a device that provides support forsailors while hiking from a sailing vessel. Conolly teaches a watersport boot constructed primarily of neoprene and rubber. The water sportboot includes a top support panel made of rubber that extends from thetop of the toe to the top of the boot. Conolly also teaches a toesupport panel that is distinct from the top support panel and covers thetoe.

Clancy (U.S. Pat. No. 7,941,946) teaches an article of footwearconfigured for sailing. The article of footwear includes a water durableupper and slip resistant sole and a rigid support member extending fromthe toe portion of the upper to the front ankle portion of the upper.

It is therefore desired to provide an article of footwear configured foruse in marine environments that addresses these deficiencies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide anarticle of footwear configured for marine use.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an article offootwear configured to provide traction on a wet surface.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide an article offootwear that allows water or moisture to drain and dry.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide an article offootwear which allows easy entry of the wearer's foot while alsofacilitating a tight fit.

It is another object of the invention to provide an article of footwearwhich reduces the amount of water able to enter the shoe through themain opening.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide an article offootwear configured to aid stability and allow for improved mobility andbalance in wet and slippery conditions.

These and other objectives are achieved by providing an article offootwear for providing traction on a wet surface, having a water-durableupper comprising an elastic flexible material and configured to conformto a foot; a slip-resistant sole; a lacing system; a heel support; and,wherein the elastic flexible material comprises a neoprene foam and afirst fabric laminated to at least one surface of the neoprene foam.

In some embodiments, the upper includes a single stretchable foot entryopening which encircles and substantially conforms to an ankle of awearer.

In some embodiments, the elastic flexible material comprisesperforations through the neoprene foam which do not extend through thefabric. The fabric may be coated or treated to provide a function. Thisfunction may include hydrophobicity or oleophobicity, and the fabric iscoated or treated to provide more than one function. Furthermore, thefabric is coated or treated on more than one side. A second fabric maybe laminated to a surface of the neoprene foam, and the second fabricmay include a different material from the first fabric.

In some embodiments, the heel support is made from natural rubber,synthetic rubber, a mixture of natural rubber and synthetic rubber,leather, or synthetic leather. A reinforcement member may be positionedbetween the upper and the heel support. The reinforcement member may bemade from plastic, polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene,or polyurethane, and may include a heel cup.

In some embodiments, the lacing system has at least two rows of holes,loops, eyelets, or hooks in which a lace can be looped, and the rows maybe disposed in an anchor material consisting of natural textile,synthetic textile, leather, or synthetic leather which may be stitchedor bonded to the upper.

In some embodiments, the fabric is stretchable; and can be limited instretch in a direction which opposes forces applied to the lacing systemor to a foot-entry opening in the upper.

In some embodiments, the sole is made from molded rubber and is attachedto a lower portion of the upper by an adhesive and by a foxing materialthat is adhered to an outer edge of the sole and to the upper. A bottomportion of the sole may include a pattern having channels where watercan be channeled toward an edge of the sole.

Other objects of the invention and its particular features andadvantages will become more apparent from consideration of the followingdrawings and accompanying detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric front view of an article of footwear according toaspects of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an isometric rear view of an article of footwear according toaspects of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a footwear material according toaspects of the invention.

FIG. 4 a is an underside view of a sole of an article of footwearaccording to aspects of the invention.

FIG. 4 b is a cross-sectional view of a sole of an article of footwearaccording to aspects of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 are isometric views of an article of footwear according toaspects of the invention. The footwear has a single main opening 17 andincludes an upper 10, outsole 21, eyerow panels 11 and 11′, heel supportmember 16,

Upper 10 may be made from a water-durable composite including a neoprenefoam material laminated to at least one textile fabric. The neoprenefoam may be perforated, and the perforations may be formed prior tolamination.

Upper 10 may be configured such that the opening 17, through which thewearer's foot enters or exits the shoe, is constructed without a tongueor gusset by incorporating stretch into the material of upper 10.

This configuration can have the advantage of allowing easy entry of awearer's foot while also facilitating a tight fit and reducing thevolume of water able to enter the shoe through opening 17. When worn,the opening 17 may encircle the wearer's ankle.

Upper 10 may be configured such that it is form fitting to the wearer'sfoot. This can have the advantages of further reducing the amount ofwater able to enter the shoe through opening 17, and reducing the volumeof excess water that may remain in the shoe, facilitating fasterdrainage and drying.

Eyerow panels 11 and 11′ are permanently attached to upper 10 and may bemade from a non-stretch material such as a synthetic or natural leather.Eyerow panels 11 and 11′ include lace tensioning points 15, and providea rigid substrate for securing a lace (not shown), allowing the footwearto be fitted to the foot. Lace tensioning points 15 may be holes, metalor plastic eyelets, loops, other similar features, or combinations ofthese features.

Heel support member 16 may be permanently attached to upper 10. The heelsupport member 16 may be made from a non-stretch material such assynthetic or natural leather, and may be positioned to provide supportto the heel of the wearer's foot. Optionally, a rigid heel supportmember 19 may also be attached to upper 10 between heel support member16 and upper 10. This can have the advantage of adding further lateralsupport to the heel of the footwear. Rigid support member 19 may be madefrom a polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene,polyurethatne, other plastic, or a combination of these plastics, andmay be molded into a heel cup or cut and shaped into a heel cup from asheet of material.

Optionally, a reinforcement strip 18 may be attached to the rear of theheel area of the footwear. Reinforcement strip 18 may be made from anon-stretch webbing or textile, and be configured to distribute loadsapplied to opening 17 by the user when the footwear is pulled over thefoot. This can have the advantage of improving durability of thefootwear. Reinforcement strip 18 may also be configured to include aloop in order to further assist the user in entering the shoe or toprovide a means of hanging or carrying the shoe.

Outsole 21 is attached to upper 10. Outsole 21 may be attached to upper10 using an adhesive, and may also be attached to upper 10 using anadditional foxing 12 adhered to outsole 21 and upper 10. Foxing 12 mayoptionally include cut or molded drainage holes 20 that allow water ormoisture to drain from the inside of the footwear. Outsole 21 and foxing12 may be made from a natural or synthetic rubber, or another suitablematerial.

Optionally, toe cap 14 and/or reinforcement panel 13 may also beattached to upper 10 and/or foxing 12. Toe cap 14 and reinforcementpanel 13 may be made from natural or synthetic rubber, or other suitablematerials, and the shape and rigidity of foxing 12, toe reinforcementpanel 13, and toe cap 14 may be configured to provide protection to theuser during an impact with the toe area and/or to provide lateralsupport to the foot when forces are applied by the user. Thisconfiguration can have the advantage of allowing for improved mobilityand balance in wet and slippery conditions.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of upper 10, illustrating a compositematerial 300 according to aspects of the invention.

In this illustrative embodiment, composite 300 includes a neoprene foam305 laminated to textiles 302 and 303.

Neoprene foam 305 is a water-durable rubber foam which can have elasticand thermally insulative properties, and can have the advantage ofproviding warmth to the wearer in cold and/or wet conditions. The termwater-durable as used herein refers to a material which is resistant tothe deleterious effects of extended exposure to water.

Neoprene foam 305 may include perforations 301. Perforations 301 may beholes punched or formed into the neoprene foam 305 before lamination tofabrics 302 and 303. The resulting perforated structure can have theadvantage of allowing water, air and moisture vapor to flow throughupper 10. Preferably, perforations 301 are between 1 mm-8 mm indiameter, and are spaced in a regular or irregular pattern, havingbetween 5 mm-50 mm between centers.

Textiles 302 and 304 can be made from appropriate fabric or textilematerial, and may include elastic yarns or fibers, or be knitted orwoven in a way that provides stretch such that upper 10 can conform to awearer's foot. Textiles 302 and 304 may also be configured to havelimited stretch in one or more directions. This can have the advantageof allowing upper 10 to conform to a wearer's foot while providingadequate support and structure to the upper 10 and other componentsattached to upper 10. Textiles 302 and 304 may be configured to provideproperties such as high abrasion resistance through the use of a highdenier fabric, or warmth and/or comfort through the use of a soft fleecefabric. Textiles 302 and 304 may also optionally be selected from agroup of materials, or may be treated to provide one or more specificfunctions such as hydrophobicity (water resistance) or oleophobicity(oil resistance).

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are an underside view and an cross-sectional view ofoutsole 21 according to aspects of the invention. Outsole 21 may be madefrom a flexible natural or synthetic rubber, or similar material.Examples of suitable materials include natural rubber, syntheticrubbers, a combination of both natural and synthetic rubbers, silicon,and rubberized foams. In an example configuration, outsole 21 consistsof a semi-durable rubber which does not substantially deform whencompressed.

Outsole 21 may include a combination of material and grip patternconfigured to provide extra traction and grip in wet and slipperyconditions. Preferably, outsole 21 is configured to provide goodflexibility and softness. This can have the advantage of increasingsensitivity and feedback to the user.

Preferably, the outsole 21 has abrasive resistant qualities which do notinhibit the flexibility or softness of outsole 21. Outsole 21 may have atread pattern which includes substantially flat sections 401 thatprovide contact with a surface and channels 402 which allow water to bechanneled to the edge 403 of outsole 21 when outsole 21 is placed on awet surface. By channeling water in this way, flat sections 401 andchannels 402 can help to prevent slipping due to loss of friction causedby water disposed between outsole.

Flat sections 401 are preferably constructed such that they can distortand deform a small amount over a surface (not shown) such that thecontact area between flat sections 401 and the surface is increased.This can have the advantage of increasing the friction between flatsections 401 and the surface.

Channels 402 are preferably between 0.1 mm-5 mm. deep, and 0.1 mm-5 mm.in width, and may be molded into outsole 21 or cut into outsole 21 usinga material separation process.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a particulararrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended toexhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed manymodifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill inthe art.

1. An article of footwear comprising: a composite having a first layerand a second layer and forming an upper; the first layer including anupper material that is elastic in a planar direction and made from asynthetic rubber foam containing polychloroprene; the second layerincluding a first fabric that is elastic in a planar direction andbonded to at least one surface of the upper material; perforationsthrough the first layer which form cavities in the upper material. 2.The article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising asingle stretchable foot entry opening constructed without a tongue suchthat the opening encircles and substantially conforms to an ankle of awearer.
 3. The article of footwear according to claim 1, furthercomprising a heel support made from a material selected from the groupconsisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, a mixture of naturalrubber and synthetic rubber, leather, or synthetic leather.
 4. Thearticle of footwear according to claim 3, wherein a reinforcement memberis positioned between the upper and the heel support.
 5. The article offootwear according to claim 4, wherein the reinforcement membercomprises a reinforcement material selected from the group consisting ofplastic, polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, orpolyurethane.
 6. The article of footwear according to claim 4, whereinthe reinforcement member comprises a heel cup.
 7. The article offootwear according to claim 1, further comprising a lacing system havingat least two rows of holes, loops, eyelets, or hooks in which a lace canbe looped.
 8. The article of footwear according to claim 7, wherein therows are disposed in an anchor material selected from the groupconsisting of natural textile, synthetic textile, leather, or syntheticleather; and, the anchor material is stitched or bonded to the upper. 9.The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein a second fabric isbonded to a surface of the upper material.
 10. The article of footwearaccording to claim 9, wherein the second fabric comprises a differentmaterial from the first fabric.
 11. The article of footwear according toclaim 1, wherein the first fabric is limited in elasticity in adirection which opposes forces applied to a lacing system.
 12. Thearticle of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the first fabric islimited in elasticity in a direction which opposes forces applied to afoot-entry opening in the upper.
 13. The article of footwear accordingto claim 1, further comprising a sole made from molded rubber andattached to a lower portion of the upper by an adhesive and by a foxingmaterial that is adhered to an outer edge of the sole and to the upper.14. The article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising asole having a pattern of channels disposed such that water can bechanneled toward an edge of the sole.
 15. The article of footwearaccording to claim 13, further comprising drainage holes in the sole orfoxing.
 16. The article of footwear according to claim 1, furthercomprising a functional treatment applied to the first fabric whichprovides a function.
 17. The article of footwear according to claim 16,wherein the function is selected from the group consisting ofhydrophobicity or oleophobicity.
 18. The article of footwear accordingto claim 16, wherein the functional treatment is antibacterial.
 19. Thearticle of footwear according to claim 16, wherein the first fabric istreated to provide more than one function.
 20. The article of footwearaccording to claim 16, wherein the first fabric is treated on more thanone surface.
 21. The article of footwear according to claim 9, wherein afunctional treatment is applied to the second fabric which provides afunction.
 22. The article of footwear according to claim 21, wherein thefunction is selected from the group consisting of hydrophobicity oroleophobicity.
 23. The article of footwear according to claim 21,wherein the functional treatment is antibacterial.
 24. The article offootwear according to claim 21, wherein the second fabric is treated toprovide more than one function.
 25. The article of footwear according toclaim 21, wherein the second fabric is treated on more than one surface.26. The article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising ametallization applied to the first fabric.
 27. The article of footwearaccording to claim 1, further comprising an infrared-reflective metalliclayer bonded to the first fabric.
 28. The article of footwear accordingto claim 9, further comprising a metallization applied to the secondfabric.
 29. The article of footwear according to claim 9, furthercomprising an infrared-reflective metallic layer bonded to the secondfabric.
 30. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein thesynthetic rubber foam comprises neoprene.
 31. An article of footwearcomprising: a composite having a first layer and a second layer andforming an upper; the first layer including an upper material that iselastic in a planar direction and made from a synthetic rubber foamcontaining polychloroprene; the second layer including a first fabricthat is elastic in a planar direction and bonded to at least one surfaceof the upper material; a functional treatment applied to the firstfabric which provides a function; and, perforations through the firstlayer which form cavities in the upper material and which do not extendthrough the second layer.